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Florida football: South Florida provides perfect setting for Gators

By Matthew Clark

GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators looks on during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators looks on during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Florida football arrived in Miami Wednesday night and met the media for the first time on Thursday ahead of Monday’s Capital One Orange Bowl.

Up and down the Florida football roster is a host of players from South Florida.

From West Palm Beach to Miami, the Gators have done well in the southern part of the state.

Those players get a chance to return home — or close to it — as No. 6 Florida football prepares to take on No. 24 Virginia in the Capital One Orange Bowl Monday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Even Florida football head coach Dan Mullen acknowledged the importance of being able to play in the postseason in South Florida.

"“As a program, to be here in South Florida, that’s what the bowl season is all about: great hotels and a great experience for our guys,” Mullen said Thursday in the Gators’ first news conference in Miami. “We expect to have a lot of fun but also put in the work and try to find a way to win.”"

For some players, being able to play in the Orange Bowl is a chance to play in front of friends and family who may not get the opportunity to travel to Gainesville.

Plus, it’s a big bowl game. That helps with outreach to Florida football fans in the southern part of the state.

"“It’s really cool, especially when growing up you look at the game and as a kid you watch and think ‘hey, this is right here in my backyard and now I am getting the opportunity to go play in it.’ It is a pretty unique deal,” Mullen said. “And not just for the players, but for all of the Gators in South Florida too. We haven’t played in a lot of Orange Bowls and I think for our fan base it is really exciting.”"

While players like sophomore defensive back Marco Wilson and wide receiver Trevon Grimes — both from Fort Lauderdale — know the area and what it’s like, other Florida football players are experiencing the south side for the first time.

Houston native and defensive back Donovan Stiner is one of those players getting to experience Miami.

"“We are excited. It is a nice city and it looks like we are going to have a lot of fun,” Stiner said, Thursday."

The Gators will continue to soak up the atmosphere after practice at Barry University concludes. They will have an outing at Miami Beach tonight.

Next. 3 Virginia Cavaliers to watch in the Orange Bowl. dark

No. 6 Florida football will take on No. 24 Virginia at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

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